Can jack dempseys live with pencilfish?
Verdict
No
No. Jack dempseys and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful pencilfish.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Jack Dempsey | Pencilfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–86 °F | 75–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 10.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 55 gal | 15 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Better tank mates for pencilfish
Questions
Can jack dempseys live with pencilfish?
No. Jack dempseys and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What temperature suits both jack dempseys and pencilfish?
75–82 °F. Jack dempseys need 72–86 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.
What size tank do jack dempseys and pencilfish need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.